At Konoha's Forward Position, Xia Yan, Shikaku Nara, and the others had long since begun assembling.
Two days passed in a flash. Perhaps because the atmosphere of war was growing heavier, every Konoha ninja stood ready.
They had completed all their transfers and deployments in just a day and a half.
They all knew they could no longer retreat, because retreating any farther would take them into the Land of Fire.
Now they seemed to feel the weight of their responsibility more keenly. Perhaps the newspapers' publicity had been too successful; this time, they all took protecting their homeland as their mission.
Coupled with Xia Yan's two previous victories, they were in excellent shape, both mentally and individually. Konoha's morale was truly soaring.
"Director Xia Yan." Hyuga Hiashi stood beside Xia Yan, his Byakugan active as he observed every movement ahead.
During this period, he had been leading the Hyuga Clan's reconnaissance operations. Xia Yan's assignment for him was to monitor Kumogakure's movements constantly while ensuring their own safety.
Although he had some doubts about Xia Yan's actions, however he looked at it, their deployment this time had resulted from Xia Yan helping them.
Therefore, even though Hyuga Hiashi had questions, he did not voice them.
"Clan Head Hiashi, how are things?" Hearing him, Xia Yan turned and asked directly.
"Kumogakure has now finished assembling. I can see the Fourth Raikage and the Eight-Tails Jinchuriki."
Hyuga Hiashi spoke quietly, his expression deeply solemn.
"They may launch their charge before long. Director Xia Yan, we should prepare."
Kumogakure's assembly truly put tremendous pressure on Hyuga Hiashi. He was probably not alone; every Konoha ninja likely felt the same.
His words also made Shikaku Nara, Inoichi Yamanaka, and all the other clan heads who had accompanied Xia Yan involuntarily turn their eyes